Surely you have seen electrical outlets your entire life… but do you know how they work? Their purpose is so important, it can actually save your life. If you read our article last week, you will understand how the electricity has already arrived at the outlet. Grounded electrical outlets then take the energy from your home electrical system and make it available. Here is more about what they are and how they work.

In Canada we have the three-prong outlet that you are familiar with. The outlet’s left hole is smaller and it is the “neutral” slot. The right hole is slightly larger and this is called “hot”. The bottom hole is the “ground”. The electricity flows in a loop, traveling from hot to neutral. This means when you plug your television in the electricity will flow from the hot slot of the outlet, into your television to power it, and then out to the neutral slot.

You have probably noticed that some appliances have only two prong plugs and some have three. This is because some appliances need to be grounded. Electricity always flows towards the ground, and when the electricity flows into your body and into the ground, you experience electrocution. Instead of a body potentially absorbing this current, the grounder redirects the electrical current traveling into the outlet so you will not be hurt. Items that have metal casings, such as televisions and computers, will have their metal cases attached to the grounder so that a current will not accidentally run throughout the case and shock you when you touch it.

When electricity becomes unbalanced in the electrical outlet, the outlet will “trip” and shut off the flow of electricity. For example, if an electronic device comes into contact with water, electricity will escape into the water. Once the outlet detects that less electricity is coming into the neutral slot than what should be, it will shut down. This safeguard protects users from potential harm.

By playing or tampering with an electrical outlet, you can get hurt or severely injured. It is important to use the appropriate equipment and follow manuals before plugging in electrical devices. If you need to make changes to your electrical system you should consult a professional first.

GFCIs or ground fault circuit interrupters are safety devices that have been extremely effective in reducing the total number of home electrocutions by almost 50%, in Australia. Most new homes and businesses now have these devices installed in locations where water is present in and around the premises. It’s important that electrical installations in outdoor locations be protected from wind and rain; that’s the one way to prevent shock hazards.

Before we understand what a GFCI is, let’s understand what a ground fault is. It is the unintentional flow of electrical current between the source and any grounded surface. If the electrical installation isn’t properly protected, an individual that comes into contact with an energised part can suffer an electrical shock.

For instance, if the person is holding any deteriorated electrical cord attached to the hair dryer, and it happens to touch a plumbing fixture they are using, they can get electrocuted and will suffer a painful shock.

This small receptacle has “test” & “retest” buttons on it. It may sometimes be built into circuit breakers that are installed in the main electrical panels. When electricians are conducting an electrical audit, they also test whether the GFCIs are functioning properly. They might also recommend that you get GFCIs installed in the vicinity of plumbing fixtures.

These are extremely useful electrical safety devices which trip the electrical circuits in case they detect any leakage current or ground fault. An individual that’s become the pathway for a leaked current can get a severe shock or will get electrocuted. It is important to get GFCIs installed in any outdoor or indoor areas where you feel that water might come in contact with the electrical installations or fixtures you have on your property.

Ideally, the areas where GFCIs should be installed include:

It is important that these devices be checked with regularity. If you have opted for an electrical maintenance contract, the electricians will ensure that the GFCIs are checked along with all the other installations; this will help confirm they are working as they should and that they provide the necessary safety to those living or working on your premises. You can also test the GFCIs on your property, by following these basic steps:

If you aren’t too sure about whether you have GFCIs installed at the right points on your property, call in your local electrician. They will inspect all the fixtures and inform you if GFCIs have to be installed in any specific rooms or outdoor spaces. Aside from this, they will also audit the rest of the installations and tell you if any upgrades are required.

Every year, there are nearly 50,000 home fires caused by poor home electrical safety. Between 2007 and 2011, house fires caused $1.5 billion in property damages and claimed 455 civilian lives. About half of these fires were caused by lighting equipment and outlet failures. The other half of home electrical fires involved major appliances, like washers and dryers, fans, and space heaters.

To keep your property and family protected at all times, follow these important home electrical safety tips from Kolb Electric.

At Kolb Electric, we want our Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC customers to exercise home electrical safety. No matter what electrical services you need, rely on Kolb Electric to deliver! Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Veterans go through a lot.  For us that have never served it may be difficult to fully understand what a veteran has to go through.  For some veterans the challenges they face do not stop once they arrive back home. Some may have physical limitations while others may have mental.  The fact is that veterans have put there lives on line and many have gave their lives for our freedom.  Over 42 million Americans have served during war time with over 1.2 million American deaths during war time.

Custom Electrical Services would like to personally thank all the men and women who proudly serve in the U.S. military.  It is fair to say we can never thank you enough for our freedom.  On this day we renew our continued appreciation for you and our freedom!

Veteran Who Attend A Chicago Cubs Game With Us.

Please take the time to personally thank a veteran.  May it be simple words and a hand shake, anonymously buy the uniformed military person in line behind you lunch, or if you have an extra ticket to a game or an event find a veteran to give it to.

Custom Electrical Services has electricians in Altoona Iowa ready to for all your electrical needs.  Need a light bulb changed we can help!  Need your whole house rewired?  We can help!  Custom Electrical Services can handle your Altoona electrical project no matter what the size.  From the simplest of task to the most lavish we can help!

Have a weekend or late night electrical emergency?  We have staff on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  You can speak to a live person no matter what the time is at 515-669-3418.  Or if you would like a call back during standard business time you can use are online form submission and we will return your call asap!

Rest assured your electrical project in Altoona will be in the most skilled hands possible with our electricians.  Our electricians take pride in there work and can handle any Altoona electrical project possible.  We have Master and Journeyman electricians on call and ready to help you with your Altoona electrical project today!  Same day service in most cases!

Custom Electrical Services has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.  We take pride in our work and always make customer service a top priority!  Our electricians in Altoona will make sure you are completely satisfied with your electrical project.

Go with who professional contractors and contractors alike choose.  Go with Custom Electrical Services for your next Altoona electrical project.  Custom Electrical Services currently wires over 250 new construction homes in the central Iowa.  From Ankeny, to Norwalk, from Waukee, to Altoona and all of central Iowa.  We cover central Iowa’s electrical needs 24/7.  Some of Iowa’s top general contractors use Custom Electrical Services.